Had an idea cross my mind this week about using two slabs of different species and color for a table top. Instead of a traditional glue up, I am thinking about making a large interlocking dovetail seam. Any suggestions or concerns on an idea like this? I plan on gluing together, but possibly highlighting the seam by carving it out some.

-- Phillip- Measure twice, cut onc.... Hey look, it's rustic.

7 replies so far

There might be some concern about weakening the joint as you have endgrain running across your dovetail. They could be prone to breaking off. But if you can get the joint together without any problems I imagine it would hold up alright. disclaimer – I’ve never made anything like this, just conjecturing.

-- No craft is very far from the line beyond which is magic. -- Lord Dunsany

Small, long-grain tails would be prone to breaking. End-to-end dovetails aren t very strong either.What about dovetail shaped inlays to give the illusion of one wood species lapping into the other?

If you are set on trying it, I would make the sockets large compared to the tails. This will maximize the long-grain surface area.

Another option is to cut the dovetails in a veneer, then apply the veneer to an appropriate substrate.

- pintodeluxe

I’m thinking these “dovetails” would be all the way through and at least 6-8” long. I have some large 34” wide X framed metal legs that I made for a dining table, so the top needs to be substantial enough for that. I could even route out a little area under the table and run a few metal straps across it to help it stay together.

I understand the risk of end grain being on the dovetails, but I am horrible with veneer, so I think I’d steer clear of that option for now.

That is gorgeous. I’ve seen a few designs like this and I definitely want to try my hand joining a few slabs like this. I have some cottonwood rounds that would be pretty cool to do this too. I think for this table I want to do the solid seam down the center with contrasting colors though. I need something for the shows to just grab people and make them not want to leave. Maybe this will be it, maybe not, but it’s stuck in my head now and I just need to find the right way to do it.